1373PPATIENTS' VS ONCOLOGISTS' PERCEPTION OF SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER: RESULTS OF THE FRENCH NATIONAL PANACH SURVEY

• Published in: Annals of oncology Vol. 25; no. suppl_4; pp. iv482 - iv483
• Main Authors: Phelip, J., Vanlemmens, L., Dilhuydy, M.S., Artru, P., Bouillet, T., Audigier-Valette, C., Caroli-Bosc, F., Curé, H., Ganem, G.M., Greillier, L., Laplaige, P., Marre, A., Quittet, P., Rouby, P., Scotte, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press 01.09.2014
• ISSN: 0923-7534; 1569-8041
• DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdu352.5

Abstract Aim: Though supportive care forms part of the overall management of cancer patients, little or no data compare how such care is perceived by patients and oncologists. Our objective was to understand patients' vs oncologists' perception of supportive care, fatigue, depression and other disorders associated with cancer and its treatments. Methods: A 43-item self-completion questionnaire was developed by a scientific panel of experts and sent by postal mail to 2,632 French oncologists. Simultaneously, a 29-item ‘mirror’ questionnaire was sent to patients undergoing cancer treatment Results: 414 oncologists (16%) and 118 patients completed the questionnaire from September to December 2013. While 47% of the patients think that adverse effects of treatments are unavoidable, and even demonstrate their efficacy (18% of respondents), 50% think that they can be reduced by supportive treatments. 84% of the oncologists give equal importance to supportive care and cancer treatment, and 58% state that they dedicate more time to supportive care than to the actual antitumor treatment. Oncologists reckon that cancer-related disorders are frequent in patients (fatigue: 73%, anxiety/depression: 39% and affective disorders and/or marital/relationship issues: 55%). However, not all symptoms are investigated by physicians on a regular basis. Patients' perception of cancer-related disorders is close to the physicians' estimation (fatigue: 86%, anxiety/depression: 37%, sleep disturbances: 81%). However, few patients spontaneously mention their symptom(s) to their physician. % of physicians investigating symptom on a regular basis (very often, during each consultation)% of patients who mention their symptom to their oncologistFatigue79%87%Sleep disturbances40%37%Anxiety/depression41%51%Affective disorders and/or marital/relationship issues7%38% Conclusions: Though some symptoms (such as fatigue) are rather well managed with supportive care, other symptoms (such as sleep disturbances, depression, affective disorders or marital-relationship issues) should be further investigated by oncologists to enable their patients to speak out and ask for the management of such symptoms. Disclosure: J. Phelip: Pierre Fabre; L. Vanlemmens: Pierre Fabre; M.S. Dilhuydy: Pierre Fabre; P. Artru: Pierre Fabre Merck Amgen Sanofi; T. Bouillet: Pierre Fabre; C. Audigier-Valette: Pierre Fabre; F. Caroli-Bosc: Pierre Fabre; H. Curé: Pierre Fabre; G.M. Ganem: Pierre Fabre; L. Greillier: Pierre Fabre; P. Laplaige: Pierre Fabre; A. Marre: Pierre Fabre; P. Quittet: Pierre Fabre; P. Rouby: Pierre Fabre; F. Scotte: Pierre Fabre.